US ambassador says ‘all options’ remain for responding to future provocations
The U. N. Security Council increased international pressure on North Korea on Friday to give up its pursuit of a nuclear bomb, adding 14 individuals and four companies to its sanctions lists.
The council unanimously voted to impose travel bans and asset freezes following North Korea’s stepped-up ballistic missile launches this year. The tests, including three last month alone, violate existing council resolutions demanding that Pyongyang cease such activity.
The United States, which drafted the resolution in consultation with China, took a strong stance, with U. S. Ambassador Nikki Haley declaring that “all options for responding to future provocations must remain on the table.”
“Beyond diplomatic and financial consequences, the United States remains prepared to counteract North Korean aggression through other means, if necessary, ” Haley said.
Future launches ‘unacceptable’
“The United States is fully committed to defending ourselves and our allies against North Korean aggression, ” she added.
Haley said future ballistic missile launches or nuclear tests would be “absolutely unacceptable, ” and she urged Pyongyang to choose “a more constructive path toward stability, security and peace.”
Several of the individuals added to the sanctions list were elderly, including one man, Ri Yong Mu, 92. He is listed as the vice chairman of a state commission that deals with military and security affairs, including acquisition and procurement. At least two other designees are in their 80s, and two are 79.
“The individuals and entities that will be subject to the travel ban and asset freeze by this resolution include the senior DPRK officials and its core military operators that are directly responsible for the regime’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs, ” South Korea’s U.
